Issued by: BHP Billiton Plc

__________________________________________________________________________________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Date of 18 November 2003

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

180 Lonsdale Street

Melbourne Victoria 3000

Australia

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F X   Form 40-F  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Yes     No X

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):

Issued by: BHP Billiton Plc

To:
Company Announcements Office
The London Stock Exchange
Old Broad Street
London EC2N 1HP
United Kingdom

Company Announcements Office
The Australian Stock Exchange
4th Floor, 20 Bridge Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

cc:
New York Stock Exchange
Swiss Stock Exchange
NZX
Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Euronext
Deutsche Bank

 

Date: 18 November 2003

For Release: Immediately

Contact: Ines Watson + 44 (0)20 7802 4176

Notification of Major Interests in Shares

The following notification was received today by BHP Billiton Plc in a letter from Lehman Brothers dated 14 November 2003 relating to major interests in shares of BHP Billiton Plc as at 13 November 2003:

"S.198 Companies Act 1985 (the "Act")

We write to inform you, pursuant to s198 of the Act, that as at the close of business on 13th November, 2003, Lehman Brothers International (Europe) had an interest in 164,495,598 Ordinary shares of BHP Billiton Plc (the "Company"). This represents 6.66% of the outstanding share capital of the Company."

 

BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015

BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111

                                                                    The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BHP BILLITON LIMITED
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________

Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 18 November 2003